Dictation recording system



1943- H. P. CLAUSEN DICTATION RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 22, 1941 INVENTOR. Henry F. Clause .1 6 B 0.1-

Patented Nov. 2, 1943 UNITED STATE DICTATION RECORDING SYSTEM Application November 22, 1941, Serial No. 420,663

- 27 Claims.

This invention is directed to means in sound recording systems, as for example dictation recorders, in which a plurality of sound recording machines are situated at a central point and interconnectable with any one of a plurality of remote dictation stations from which the dictator may control them in accordance with the requirements for the full use of such machines.

In general the system is arranged so that full use may be made of a group of dictation recording machines by a plurality of dictators, whereby the idle periods of the machines may be greatly minimized. In accordance with this object the dictation machines are situated at a central point remote with respect to the dictators stations and under the control of an attendant. The central station is connected with the dictators stations by means of a plurality of lines each of which serves a plurality of dictators, depending upon the nature and particularly the type of dictation originating at the dictating station. The number of recording machines, the number of lines to the central station, and the number of dictators on each line will all be determined by the type of dictation to be recorded and other controlling factors, all of which may be predetermined upon the basis of well established telephone practice, whereby each machine will be employed a maximum amount of time each day with a minimum of interference as between the dictators on a particular line.

An important object of this invention is to provide in a system of the above type, mechanism controlled in a simple manner from each of the dictation stations for repeating back a predetermined amount of recorded matter to the dictators in order that they may check back upon the peat back, if it is found satisfactory, the dictator by a simple manipulation of controls at his station may effect the re-recording of the recorded matter from the auxiliary machine to the permanent record of the main recording machine associated therewith.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means on the main recording machine for indicating visibly and audibly through the system any corrections, changes in the dictation or any other instructions in connection therewith, and applying this signal to the permanent record somewhat in advance of the point of change or correction in order to notify the transcriber well in advance. This marking-mechanism is likewise easily controlled from the dictator station.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an automatically acting apparatus for indicating on both the auxiliary and the main recording machines the end of a particular piece of recording.

Further. and additional detailed objects of this invention, as will appear from the following disclosure of one embodiment thereof, are successfully secured, among which are the provision of means for indicating to all the dictators on the line when the line is or is not in use, of means previously recorded matter for any necessary puri pose. In accordance with this object every bit of recorded matter in addition to being impressed upon a permanent record tablet from which the transcription is to be made, is impressed upon an auxiliary recording machine so that a predetermined amount of recorded matter may at any.

for signaling the central station attendant that a dictator wishes to use a recording machine, and of means for signaling the central attendant and for talking directly to him when desired.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement and relative location of parts, as will be described in detail below.

In the accompanying drawing the single figure is a diagrammatic illustration of the combination of this invention including the various circuit connections, but illustrating only one main and auxiliary recording machine and one line connecting the central station with the remote dictators stations to which are shown connected but two dictators stations. I

Describing the system illustrated in the drawing in detail, it will first be noted that the apparatus has been diagrammatically sectionalized by a series of dotted lines. The apparatus associated with the reference, characters A, B, shows the control apparatus at each of two dictators stations. The apparatus associated with the reference character C represents in the main the apparatus which the attendant at the central station manipulates. The apparatus associated with the reference character D indicates one main recording machine and its associated auxiliary recording machine with the various remotely controlled and automatically operating adjuncts. The above segregation of the system into sections is not strictly accurate since, as will appear to those skilled in the art, various pieces of the apparatus illustrated may be situated at other points than those indicated in the drawing. a

For the sake of simplicity it will be noted, as indicated in the drawing, that the main current supply source which may be of an suitable type and which does not appear in the drawing will be grounded at one terminal. One side of each of the various circuits illustrated is grounded as shown, while the other side, which has been indicated by the usual positive sign, will in each case return to the positive side of the grounded source. For the sake of simplicity, however, these various return wires have not been shown, thereby simplifying a reading and understanding of the drawing.

A relay indicated at is supplied by one terminal from the positive side of the current source as indicated, and is connected at its other terminal to one terminal of a slow release relay 2, the other terminal of which is connected to a contact in switch I3 and by wire 3 to one contact of switch 4. The other contact of this switch is connected by wire 5 through switch 6 to ground. When the magnet I is deenergized switch 6 is closed on its front contact as shown. Its normally open back contact is connected by wire 'I to the positive side of the current source and has bridged across it signal lamps 8 and 9, one at each of the dictators stations A and B. At this point it will be noted that the apparatus under description is duplicated in every respect with the apparatus of station A, with the exception of relay I, and therefore reference numerals have not been applied to these parts, and further reference thereto will not be made. A pair of switches I and II are connected by a common operator I2, which will be part of a fixture for supporting a hand set comprising a telephone receiver and transmitter. When the hand set is on the fixture it will engage the operator I2 and hold switches I0 and II open. When the hand set is removed from the fixture these switches will close. This arrangement, as will be apparent, is quite similar to the now commonly used American version of a French telephone.

One contact of switch I0 is permanently grounded. The other contact is connected to the movable contact of switch I3. One contact of switch connects to one leg from the line 20, while the other contact is connected to the movable contact of switch |5. The other contact of switch I is connected to the hand set I9 (receiver and microphone), the other terminal of which is connected to the other leg of the circuit 20. The circuit 20 is the line from this group of dictator stations to the central station and terminates at the plug jack 2| in the central station. The switches I3, I4 and I5 all comprise part of a slow release relay, which includes the magnet 2.

One terminal of switch I4 is permanently grounded while its other terminal is connected by wire I6 to one terminal of each of two switches l1 and I8. The other contacts of switches I1 and II! are connected by the wires 60 and 62 respectively to a jack 59 likewise at the central station. The switch I! may be termed the start and stop switch, and switch I8 may be termed the marking switch. These two switches can be conveniently located at the dictators station and may be part of the hand set support, or of the hand set itself. The telephone jacks 2| and 59 may be 5 arranged so that a single plug connector may be applied to the two simultaneously, thereby requiring only one operation to set up proper connections by the central station attendant. In the jack 2| suitable connections are provided so that a signal light 22 will be energized at the central station when a dictator desires to use the apparatus and removes the hand set from its support, as will be described in more detail later.

The plug 23 for the jack 2| is connected to a 5 common form of telephone repeating coil apparatus diagrammatically illustrated at 25. In the circuit of this apparatus is a magnet 26 bridged by a suitable resistanc 21. This magnet controls a switch 24, one terminal of which is permanently grounded and the other terminal of which is connected with a signal lamp 24 whose circuit extends to a contact forming part of the plug 23, which completes a circuit through the jack 2| and resistance 2| back to the current 25 source when the jack is plugged. The line from the plug 23 is bridged by an auxiliary line terminating in a jack 28 by means of which the central operator may plug in to the line 20 and talk back to the dictator when he desires.

The output line 29 of the repeating coil system 25 is connected by cable 30 to one terminal of a switch 34. At this point it may be noted that again for purposes of simplicity a single line diagram is employed for most of-the central station equipment, which line in each case is intended to be a cable having a pair of circuit wires therein. These cables have all been indicated in the drawing in heavy black lines to distinguish them from those parts of the illustration where full double circuit Wires are shown.

The movable contact of switch 34 is connected by the cable 35 to the movable contact of switch 31. This switch cooperates with a pair of contacts the lowermost of which as shown engages the movable contact when the winding 38 is deenergizedw The winding 38 is part of a relay which includes in addition to switch 31 the switches 42, 84 and 80. The uppermost contact of switch 31 is connected by wire 39 to the input of an amplifier 4|), which is diagrammatically illustrated and may be of any suitable type such .as a vacuum tube amplifier.- This same contact is also connected by cable 83 to one of the contacts of switch 84. While the various contacts to which th cables extend will be referred to in the singular, it is apparent that, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, since each cable contains a pair of wires the fixed contacts will be in pairs and the movable contacts will likewise be in pairs, although, of course, these switches need only be in one leg of 1 each circuit and in that sense the cables could be considered as single wires representing only onehalf of each circuit.

The output of the amplifier is connected by cable 4| to one of the contacts of switch 31 and to another contact controlled by the blade of switch 42. For the sake of clarity it will be noted that the movable contacts of switches 31 and 42' cooperate in each case with a pair of fixed contacts. It may be further noted that the sw tches of the relay 38 are shown in their normal position, that is when the winding thereof is deenergized. The movable blade of switch 42 is connected by cable 43 to a recording device 12 forming part of a magnetic wire recording device 45. The magnetizable wire has been diagrammatically illustrated at 44 and this machine as employed in this system will normally run continuously so that the magnetizable wire is normally in motion. Magnetically recording devices of this type are well known in the art in various forms and therefore has only been diagrammatically illustrated herein. The recording device 12 is also connected by cable to one contact of switch 41, the other contact of which is connected by wire 49 to a recording head 50 of a typeemploying a recording stylus. This recording device 50 may likewise be any one of several well known types, such as the electromagnetic type or the piezo electric'crystal type.

The recording head 50 is part of the main recording machine 52 upon the spindle of which is mounted the permanent record tablet which is commonly in the form of a disc of any suitable material such as wax or cellulose acetate. The particular form of the main machine 52 as here illustrated is of a type in which the record tablet support moves radially at the same time as the disc revolves on its central axis so that recording is accomplished from the center of the tablet upwardly towards the periphery. In machines of this type the driving power is applied to the record tablet 5|, which will be referred to in more detail later.

At 53 is shown a pivotally mounted arm which recording stylus of the recording head 58. That is at a point which will be engaged first by a reproducing needle before reaching the point at which the recording stylus is at at the time the marking is applied. The marking fluid may be colored, so as to give a visible indication and preferably contains a fine gritty or granular sub stance. The fluid is preferably quick drying. The mark made by it is applied directly over the record but does not obliterate it, although the embedded granular substance when engagedby a reproducing stylus will introduce an audible sound inthe transcribing operators sound reproducer, indicating the approach of a change or correction in the dictation.

It may be noted here that a marking device of this type suitable for the purposes of this invention is illustrated in United States patent to Barton A. Proctor, No. 2,261,284, dated November 4, 1941.

One terminal of winding 33 is connected to the positive side of the current source as indicated. The other terminal is connected by wire 65 to one terminal of switch 66. This switch is connected as indicated at 61 to the arm 53 so that it is open when the arm is raised and is closed when the arm is lowered. The other contact of switch 65 is connected by wire 58 to one terminal of a slow acting solenoid 59, the other terminal supports a driving roller 54 driven at a constant speed by any suitable source of power, not shown, so that when it is brought into contact with the record tablet 5| it will frictionally drive it and cause it to rotate together with the spindle on which the tablet is mounted, and to which it is keyed, all in accordance with normal practice. A pair of magnets 55 and 56 are associated with the lever 53, the former for raising the lever and the latter for depressing it. The lever 53 is of a construction such that it will remain in either of its operated positions. One terminal of each of the magnets 55 and 56 is connected to the positive side of the current source, as indicated, and the other terminal of each terminates in contacts positioned to be engaged by the arm 53. The contact for magnet 56 is engaged by lever 53 when it is in its raised position as shown, while it will engage the contact connected to magnet 55 when it is in its lower position.

Lever 53 is connected by a single wire 51 to one terminal of the plug 58 which cooperates with the jack 59. Wire 51 is also connected by single wire 58 to one terminalof a switch 59, the other terminal of which is permanently grounded. Solenoid 60 is connected at one side to the positive side of the current source and connectable at the other side to ground through a switch M. The plunger of solenoid 60 is arranged to rise when the solenoid is energized and to momentarily close switch 59, as indicated. The plunger will remain in raised position as indicated in dotted lines until solenoid 60 is de-energized,

whereupon it will be retracted to its full line position.

The other terminal of plug 58 is connected by a single wire 63 to the operating winding of a marking device 64, the other terminal of which is connected to the positive side of the current source. The marking device 64 may be of any suitable construction and is of the type which will upon operation apply a line of marking fluid to the record tablet 5| at a point in back of the of which is grounded. The plunger it of this solenoid has pivotally mounted on its upper end a member ll cooperating with a stop it mounted on the plunger. The member ll is adapted to operate the movable contact of a switch 13 which is connected by a cable 75 to one'contact of switch 12. The other contact of switch '83 is connected to a suitable alternating current source or signal generator 7 1, The member ll is such that when the solenoid 59 is energized the plunger it moves upwardly but the member "H pivots in a clockwise direction and does not close switch it. When the solenoid G9 is de-energized the plunger ill slowly descends back to normal position and at this time the member it being engaged by the stop 72 momentarily closes switch 73 so that the alternating signal is supplied over the line 75 for a purpose to be described later.

The terminals of switch 66 are connected by a pair of wires ll to a switch it forming part of a relay d8 of which switch M is a part.

At 19 is shown a suitable source of electric energy connected through switch and cable 8! to a magnetic wipe-out device 82 associated with the magnetizable wire Ml by means of which it may be de-magnetized. progressively as the wire moves therethrough with the result that any recorded matter thereon is progressively wiped out or removed. Switch t l is connected by cable M to a reproducing device it associated with the magnetizable wire id for reproducing a record thereon. The wires of this cable also extend, as indicated by the cable it, to a front contact of switch 34. Switch 34 and switch iii are part of a relay of which the magnet winding 85 is a part. One terminal of this winding is connected to the positive side of the current source as indicated and by wire 86 to one terminal of a switch Bl. The other terminal of this switch is grounded. Switches 37 and '18 are part of a relay on which the magnet winding 48 is the operator. One terminal of this winding is connected to the positive side of the current source, as indicated, and the other terminal is connected to one contact of switch 38, the other terminal of which scribed later.

is grounded. Cables 38 and 35 are shunted by a resistance, the function of which will be de- A pair of switches 81 and 88 will be provided at each of the dictator stations and, if desired, the circuits for these switches may go through connecting jacks at the attendants control point, i. e. jacks 2I and 59.

A detailed description of the operation of this system follows:

It will be assumed that the dictator at station A wishes to record some dictation. He lifts the operation of these two relays may be proportioned so that switch I3 will be closed before switch I6 shifts because a holding circuit is provided for windings I and 2 through switch I3. The holding circuit is now from the source through winding I, winding 2, switch l3 and switch I to ground. The shifting of switch 6 will cause the signal lights 8 and 9 to be energized so that all of the dictators stations on this particular line will know that it is in use and conversely, when their respective signal lights are dark, they will know that it is available for use. Likewise, this movement of switch 6 takes ground from wire so that the other dictators on the line cannot get control of it. The closing of switch I4 merely prepares a circuit which may be controlled by other switches I! and I8. The closing of switch I5 completes the circuit for the hand set I9, and as will be apparent, for the signal light 22 at the central station.

As soon as the central station attendant sees light 22 he knows that one of the parties on the associated line Wishes to use one of the recording machines. He thereupon applies the plugs 23 and 58 to the jacks 2I and 59 respectively, with the result that signal light 22 is eX- tinguished and the line 28 is connected to the repeating coil 25 associated with the plug 23. At the same time the contact in plug 23 for signal lamp 24 is connected through the jack 2| to the positive side of the current source through resistance 2|. However, switch 24' is open by the magnet 26 as plug 23 is inserted so that light 24 is not lit or at least only flashes momentarily. However, when the dictator is through with his dictation and replaces the hand set on its fixture, magnet 28 will be de-energized at the opening of switch II so that switch 24' will close energizing lamp 24 so as to signal the attendant that the dictator is through with the line and he may break the connection at the jacks. Likewise, the dictator may talk to' the central station attendant by manipulating the operator I2 of switches I0 and II, causing the lamp 24 to flash, whereupon the attendant may plug a talking set into the jack 28 and converse with the dictator. Relay 2 is of the slow release type so that the jiggling of switch II) will not cause a breaking of the holding circuit I3. It is also to be noted here that winding 26 is bridged by a resistance 24 so that the voice currents may travel through the repeating coil circuit without causing operation of switch 24.

Going back now to the main operation, after the attendant has applied the plugs to the lacks as described, the apparatus is in condition for operation under control of the dictator at station A. It is to be understood, of course, that a plurality of main and auxiliary recording machines and associated apparatus will be situe ated at the central station so that the attendant may connect the calling dictator to any one of the idle machines available. It will be recalled that the magnetic recorder and reproducer 45 is in continuous operation. The dictator will get the signal to proceed by hearing in the receiver of his hand set I9 whatever may happen to be recorded on the wire 44, which may be a go ahead signal applied by the attendant in any suitable manner at the end of the previous use of this apparatus. The dictator gets this signal as follows; It is picked up by the reproducer I6 and transmitted over cable 44 through switch 84, cable 83, cable 39, amplifier 40, cable 4|, switch 31, cable 35,. blade of switch 34, cable 38, wires 29, repeating coil 25, plug and jack 23--2I and circuit 28. Upon hearing this signal the dictator knows that the apparatus is in readiness for use.

The dictator then closes the start-stop switch I! causing current to flow from ground through closed switch I4, wire I6, switch I1, wire 60, one side of the plug and jack 5859, wire 61, switch arm 53, and finally to the positive side of the current source through the magnet winding 56. This causes arm 53 to move down so that its power driven roller 54 engages the record tablet 5I. This engagement causes the record tablet to revolve at a constant speed, or in other words, the main recording machine 52 is put into operation. It will be recalled that arm 53 remains in operated position so that the closing of switch I! need only be momentary. At the same time switch 66 closes so that current flows from the positive side of the current source through magnet winding 38, wire 65, closed switch 66, wire 68 and solenoid .69 to ground. The energization of the winding 38 causes the movable contacts of all of switches 31, 42, 84 and 88 to move to their other positions. of switch 31 connects the cable 35 with the input cable 39 of the amplifier M and connects the output cable 4| of the amplifier with the cable 43 connected to the recording device I2. The

opening of switch 84 disconnects reproducer 16,

the input cable 39. The closing of switch causes energization of the wipe-out device 82 s from the energy source I9 so that the recorded matter on wire 44 as it moves in the direction of the arrow is continually wiped out just before that part of the wire reaches the recording device I2. The energization of solenoid 69 causes plunger 10 to move upwardly so that the operating member II is above the cam surface on switch/I3, where it remains until solenoid 63 is de-energized. Both the auxiliary and the main .recording machines are now ready to receive dictation. The dictator therefore speaks into the microphone of the hand set, dictating the matter to be .recorded until its completion. When he has finished he again momentarily closes start-stop switch l1, energizing winding 56 through the same circuits employed to energize winding 56 up to the contacts controlled by the arm 53, which being op n will cause magnet 55 to be energized rather than magnet 56. Thus arm 53 is raised and the main recorder 52 stops. Switch 66 opens so that solenoid 69 and winding 38 are tie-energized.

The operation Switch 42 closes on its down contact and short- 1y, thereafter operator 'II momentarily closes switch I3 so that a frequency signal is applied from the source I4 through switch I3, cable I5, switch 42, cable 43 to operate the recorder I2 and apply an audible reproducible signal to the wire 44 signaling the end of the dictation. At the same time this frequency signal is applied over cable 46 through switch 41 and cable 49 to the recording head 50, but a similar record is not made on the tablet 5| as it is standing still.

At the end of the dictation the dictator places his hand set on the fixture, opening switches Ii! and I I and breaking the holding circuit through switch I3 and circuit 20 respectively. The breaking of the holding circuit de-energizes relays I and 2 so that switch 6 shifts, extinguishing the signal lights 8 and 9. The breaking of the circuit 20 de-energizes winding 26, causing signal light 24 to indicate that the dictator is through, whereupon the attendant may remove the plugs 23 and 58, releasing the entire parts of the system described.

Let us assume, however, that the dictator during the dictation wishes to make a correction, or to apply some instructions to the record tablet 5|. To dothis he momentarily closes marking switch I8 which completes the circuit from round through switch I4, wire I6, switch I8, wire 62, one side of the jack and plug 5859, wire 63 and marking device 64 to the positive side of the current source. This applies a Visible and audible record to the tablet 5I which during transcription will signal the transcriber of coming corrections or instructions. The dictator after thus momentarily closing switch I 8, then proceeds to dictate the correction or instruction. At this point it is to be emphasized that everything that the dictator says is recorded both on the main machine and on the wire 44 of the auxiliary machine, so that he may listen back at any time to a predetermined amount of the previously dictated matter. For example, the magnetic recorder may be so proportioned that it will at all times have, say two minutes of the previously dictated matter on it, In other words, the wipe-out device 82 will be continuously removing matter dictated two minutes before. Of course, this period may be varied as required by using the proper length of wire 44.

Suppose, therefore, that the dictator is in some doubt as to what he said in a previous sentence. He may have this repeated back to him from the auxiliary .machine by momentarily pressing the start-stop switch H. The closing of this switch, as previously described, will energize magnet 55, raising arm 53 and immediately stopping the main recording machine 52. However, the auxiliary recording machine is running continuously. The movement of arm 53 opens switch 66 so that winding 38 is de-energized and the switches controlled thereby move back to the position shown by the drawing. The result is that the reproducing device I6 is connected through the cable. 44, switch 84, cable 83, input cable 39, the amplifier 40 which repeats it through output cable 4|, lower contact of switch 31, cable 35, movable contact of switch 34, cable 30, wires 29, repeater 25, jack and plug 2I-23 and circuit 20 to the receiver of hand set I9. The dictator will therefore hear the last two minutes of recorded matter en the wire 44 during which time the main recording machine will be at rest so that no part of the record tablet is wasted. The dictator need not wait until all of the recorded matter on the v marily dictating this matter.

wire 44 is repeated back because as soon as he has refreshed his recollection on the point in doubt he again simply closes the start-stop switch I'I momentarily, whereby the arm 53 shifts to its downward position, resetting the various circuits for recording and causing the main recording machine to operate. He therefore continues with his dictation as though he had not interrupted it. At this point it is well to particularly note for purposes of emphasis that everything spoken by the dictator under the conditions of operation thus far described into his microphone is not only recorded onto the main recording tablet, but also onto the magnetic Wire of the auxiliary magnetic recorder.

This leads us to another valuable function of this mechanism. The dictator may at any time that he wishes record on the magnetic wire a sentence or any amount of dictation up to an amount correspondiing to the previously two minute period on the magnetic wire 44 for recording it on the main record tablet. The object of this is to primarily record this matter on the magnetic recorder and play it back for inspection to be sure that it is in correct form before it is recorded on the main record tablet. To do this he closes switch 88 and holds it closed while pri- The result is that current flows from the positive side of the current source through magnet 48 and switch 88 to ground. The energization of magnet 48 opens switch 47 thus breakiing the circuit to the recording head 50 and closes switch I8. The closing of switch I8 bridges switch 66 through the circuit wires ll. Switch 66 will be open because it will be recalled the dictator does not wish to record this matter on the'main record tablet 50, so that in order to accomplish the function being described in the middle of some matter being dictated he would have first momentarily closed the start-stop switch I! to stop the main recording machine 52. It .is hardly necessary to note likewise that this preliminary recording' may be effected at the very start of the dictation after he secures a machine without starting the main machine, by simply failing to close switch II. His first operation after securing a machine would be to close switch 88 and hold it closed. Remembering now that switch 66 has been bridged it will immediately be seen that a circuit has been completed for the magnet 38 so that the recorder I2 is connected to the output of the amplifier and the dictators line is connected to the input. He therefore makes his preliminary dictation and when it is completed he releases switch 88, with the result that switch 4'! closes and with switch 78 opening magnet 38 is de-energized. Thus the reproducer 16 is connected to the input of the amplifier and the output is connected to the dictators circuit ,20, so that he will hear repeated back to him, in his receiver, the matter which he ,has just preliminarily dictated.

In passing it may be noted that at the end of this dictation the signal source 14 applied a sort of signal so to speak to the wire 44 so that when the dictator hears this reproduced he knows that the reproduction of the primarily dictated matter is complete, which is a signal, if this matter is satisfactory for final recording, to close switch 81. Current then flows from the positive side of the current source through magnet and switch 81 to ground, whereupon switch 34 shifts to disconnect cable 35 from cable 30 and connect it to cable 44'. Switch 6 I is also closed at the same time energizing solenoid 60 causing it to project its plunger and -momentarily close switch 59. This completes a circuit through switch 59, wire 58, arm 53 and magnet 55 to the positive side of the current source, thereby starting the main recording machine 52. As before, switch 66 is closed energizing magnet 38 and operating the associated switches as before. The plunger of solenoid 60 remains in dotted raised position. The repr-oducer I8 is now connected through cable 44', switch 34, cable 35, switch 31 and cable 39 to the input of amplifier 40. The output is connected by cable 4| through switch 42 to cable 43, cable 46, switch 41 and cable 49 to the recording head 50 so that the matter recorded on the wire 44 is now recorded on the main record tablet During this recording or re-recording the dietatormay hear in the receiver of his hand set the matter being recorded since cable 35 is connected to cable 30 through the resistance 38. This reproduction in his receiver will be at reduced volume but suiliciently loud so that he may follow the matter and note the end of the dictation signal which will come through as previously exi by the signal, even if he has forgotten from the context, that the rerecording is completed, and he may therefore release switch 8'! which will cause machine 52 to stop by reason of the fact that the plunger of solenoid 60 will descend and momentarily close switch 59 so as to energize magnet 55 and raise arm 53. At the same time the other circuits will be reset so that if the dietator wishes to proceed with straight dictation he momentarily closes start-stop switch I! and then begins to speak into his microphone.

- An interesting, but in most cases unessential result of the operation of-this system is the fact that the matter recorded on the wire 44 which is taken up by the reproducer 16 is simultaneously being again recorded on the wire by the recorder 12 whic results from the fact that this recorder is in the cable circuit 43-46 which is supplying the mainrecording head 50 at this time. This incidental function is of no particular value, a1- though shouldthe dictator happen to be interrupted for a period of time just at the end of the re-recording onto the main record tablet he would be able to pick up the thread of thought fromthe magnetic wire so that he could go on with his dictation.

From the above description itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the.principles of this invention may be embodied in a'number of different physical forms and combinations, and I do not, therefore, desire to be strictly limited to the disclosure and its operation as set forth herein, but rather by the true scope ofthe claims granted me.

What is claimed is:

1. In a dictation system of the type described, a plurality of dictators stations each having a receiver and a microphone, a central station having a plurality of dictation recording machines, a circuit from said dictators stations to said central station, means at each dictators station for connecting-the associated receiver and microphone to said circuit, for energizing'a signal at the central station, for removing the control of said circult from all the other dictators stations on said line, and means at the central station for connecting one of said recording machines to said line.

2. In a dictation system of the type described, a plurality of dictators stations each having a receiver and a microphone, a central station having a plurality of dictation recording machines, a line from said dictators stations to said central station, means comprising a single manually operated device at each dictators station for connecting the associated receiver and microphone to said line, for energizing a signal at the central station, for removing the control of said line from all the manually operated device at the other dictators stations on said line, and means at the central station for connecting one of said recording machines to said line.

3. In a dictation system of the type described, a plurality of dictators stations each having a receiver and a microphone, a central station having a plurality of dictation recording machines, a line from said dictators stations to said central station, means at each dictators station for connecting the associated receiver and microphone to said line, for energizing a signal at the central station, for removing the control of said line from all the other dictators stations on said line, means at the central station for connecting one of said recording machines to said line, and means controlled from the dictators stations for starting and stopping the recording machine in use.

4. In a dictation recording system of the type described, at least one recording machine, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations, 2. single line for connecting any one of said stations with said recording machine, and means at each of said stations for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and preventing the connection with the receiver-microphone of the other stations to the line.

5. In a dictation recording system of the type described, at least one recording machine, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations, a single line for connecting any one of said stations with said recording machine, means at each of said stations for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and preventing v the connection with the receiver-microphone of the other stations to the line, and signaling means at eaclTofthe dictators stations for indi 5 eating when the line is in use.

6. In a dictation recording system of the type described, at least one recording machine, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations,

--..a single line for connecting any one of said stations with said recording machine,-means at each of said stationsfonggnnecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and" preventing the connection with the receiver-microphone of the other stations to the line, and means at each dictators station for starting and stopping said recording machine.

7. In a dictation recording system of the type described, at least one main recording machine, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations, a single line for connecting any one of said stations with said recording machine, means at each of said stations for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and preventing the connection with the receiver-microphone of the other stations to the line, and an auxiliary recording machine connected to said line and operating continuously when the apparatus is in use so that all matter is recorded on both recording machines simultaneously.

8. In a dictation recording system of the type described, at least one main recording machine,

a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations, a single line for connecting any one of said stations with said recording machine, means at each of said stations for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and preventing the connection with the receiver-microphone of the other stations to the line, an auxiliary recording machine connected to said line and operating continuously when the apparatus is in use so that all matter is recorded on both recording machines simultaneously, and means at the dictators stations for simultaneously stopping the main recording machine and connecting the auxiliary recording machine to the receiver of that station so that a desired portion of the matter recorded thereon is repeated back.

9. In a dictation recording system of the type described, at least one main recording machine, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stamom, a single line for connecting any one of said stations with said recording machina means at each of said stations for connecting the associated receiver microphone to the line and preventing the connection with the receiver-microphone of the other stations to the line, an auxiliary recording machine connected to said line and operating continuously when the apparatus is in use so that all matter is recorded on both recording machines simultaneously, and means at the dictators stations for effecting recording of matter on the auxiliary machine only,

10. In a dictation recording system of the type described, at least one main recording machine, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations, a single line for connecting any one of said stations with said recording machine, means at each of said stations for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and preventing the connection with the receiver-microphone of the other stations to the line, an auxiliary recording machine connected to said line and operating continuously when the apparatus is in use so that all matter is recorded on both recording machines simultaneously, means at the dictators stations for effecting recording of matter on the auxiliary machine only, and means controlled from the dictators stations for rerecording the matter recorded on the auxiliary machine onto the main recording machine.

11. In a dictation system of the type described, the combination including at least one main recording machine, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine which runs continually in normal use, a plurality of receiver-microphone dicators stations remote with respect to said machines, a line for connecting any of said dictators stations with said recordingmachinea'means at each station for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and. preventing connection of the other dictator microphones at the other stations to the line, means at each dictators station for starting and stopping the main recording machine, and means controlled from the dictators stations for applying signals to the record of the main recording machine to indicate corrections, end of dictation, and the like.

12. In a dictation system of the type described, the combination including at least one main recording machine, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine which runs continually in normal use, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations remote with respect to said machines, a line for connecting any one of said dictators stations with said recording machines, means at each station for connecting the assothe main machine for applying a corresponding signal to the record of the auxiliary machine.

13. In a dictation system of the type described, the combination including at least one main recording machine, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine which runs continually in normal use, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations remote with respect to said machines, a line for connecting any one of 7 said dictators stations with said recording machines, means at each station for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and preventing connection of the other dictator microphones at the other stations to the line, means at each dictators station for starting and stopping the main recording machine, means controlled from the dictators stations for applying signals to the record of the main recording machine to indicate corrections, end of dictation and the like,

' means operating upon the stopping of the main machine for applying a corresponding signal to the record of the auxiliary machine, and means controlled from the dictators stations for connecting the auxiliary machine to the line, Whereby the record thereon is fed back to the receiver of the dictators stations in use.

14. In a dictation system of the type described, the combination including at least one main recording machine, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine which runs continually in normal use, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations remote with respect to said machines, a line for connecting any one of said dictators stations with said recording machines, means at each station for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and preventing connection of the other dictator microphones at the other stations to the line, means at each dictators station for starting and stopping the main recording machine, means controlled from the dictators stations for applying signals to the record of the main recording machine to indicate corrections, end of dictation and the like, means operating upon the stopping of the main machine for applying a corresponding signal to the record of the auxiliary machine, means for energizing the auxiliary machine to record matter thereon only from the microphone, and means for energizing the receiver. of the station from the auxiliary machine to play back the recorded matter.

15. In a dictation system of the type described, the combination including at least one main recording machine, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine which runs continually in normal iise, a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations remote with respect to said machines, a line for connecting any one of said dictators stations with said recording machine. means at each station for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line and pre venting connection of the other dictator microphones at the other stations to the line, means at each dictators station for starting and stopping the main recording machinameans controlled from the dictators stations for applying signals to the record of the main recording machine to indicate corrections, end of dictation and the like, means operating upon the stopping of the main machine for applying a corresponding signal to the record of the auxiliary machine, means for energizing the auxiliary machine to record matter thereon only from the micro-' phone, means for energizing the receiver of the station from the auxiliary machine to play back the recorded matter, and means for energizing the recorder of the main machine from the auxiliary machine to rerecord the recorded matter thereon.

16. In a remotely controlled dictation system, the combination including a plurality of receivermicrophone dictation stations, a central station having at least one recording machine remotely situated with respect to said stations, a line extending from said dictators stations to said central station, means at each dictators station for connecting the receiver-microphone to the line,

preventing connection of further receiver-microphones thereto and for signaling an attendant at the central station, means at the central station for connecting the recording machine to said line, additional means for signaling the central station operator without breaking the line connection, and means for connecting a receivermicrophone to the line at the central station whereby the dictator may communicate with the central station attendant.

17. In a remotely controlled dictation system of the type described the combination comprising a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations, a central station having at least one main recording machine and associated auxiliary recording and reproducing machine, a line extending from the dictators stations to the central station, means at each of the dictators stations for seizing the line and signaling the attendant at the central station, means at the central station for connecting the recorders to the line, said auxiliary machine running continuously when the system is in use, means at the,dictators stations for starting and stopping the main machine, and means operating as an incident to the stopping of the main machine for connecting the auxiliary machine to the line to energize the connected receiver at the dictators station in use.

18. In a remotely controlled dictation system of the type described the combination comprising a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations, a central station having at least one main recording machine and associated auxiliary recording and reproducing machine, a line extending from the dictators stations to the central station, means at each of the dictators stations for seizing the line and signaling the attendant. at the central station, means at the central station for connecting the recorders to the line, said auxiliary machine running continuously when the system is in use, means at the dictators stations for starting and stopping the main machine, means operating as an incident to the stopping of the main machine for connecting the auxiliary machine to the line to energize the connected receiver at the dictators station in use, and means at the dictators stations for starting the main machine and conditioning the auxiliary machine forsimultaneous recording of the main machine.

19. In a remotely controlled dictation system of the type described the combination comprising a plurality of receiver-microphone dictators stations, a central station having at least one main recording machine and associated auxiliary recording and reproducing machine, a line extending from the dictators stations to the central station, means at each of the dictators stations for seizing the line and signaling the attendant at the central station, means at the central station for connecting the recorders to the line, said auxiliary machine running continuously when the system is in use, means at the dictators stations for starting and stopping the main machine, means operating as an incident to the stopping of the main machine for connecting the auxiliary machine to the line' to energize the connected receiver at the dictators station in use, and means operating as an incident thereto for applying a signal to the record of the auxiliary recorder. Y

20. In a dictation system of the type described the combination including a main recording machine, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine running continuously when the system is in use, means for supplying signal energy to both the said machines whereby two records are made simultaneously, means for stopping the main machine so that a record is made only on the auxiliary machine, means for reproducing the record on the auxiliary machine, means for energizing the main recording machine from the auxiliary recording machine to rerecord the record thereon, and means for audibly reproducing the record on the auxiliary machine during rerecording.

21. In a dictation recording system of the type described, at least one main recording machine, an auxiliary recording machine operating continuously when the apparatus is in use so that signal currents from the dictator station are recorded on both machines simultaneously, a receiver-microphone dictator station, a line for connecting said station to said recording machines, and means at the dictators station for simultaneously stopping the main recording machine and connecting the auxiliary recording machine to the receiver at that station over said line so that a desired portion of the matter recorded thereon is repeated back.

22. In a dictation recording machine of the type described, at least one main recording machine at a central station, a receiver-microphone dictator station, a line for connecting the dictators station with the recording machine of the central station, an auxiliary recording machine at the central station and connected to said line and operating continuously when the system is in use so that all signals are recorded on both machines simultaneously, and means at the dictators station for effecting recording of signals on the auxiliary machine only.

23. In a dictation recording system of the type described, a main recording machine at a central station, a receiver-microphone dictators station, a single line for connecting said dictator's station with said recording machine, an auxiliary,

recording machine connected to said line and operating continuously when the system is in use so that all signals are recorded on both recording machines simultaneously, means at the dictator's station for efiecting recording of signals on the auxiliary machine only, and means controlled from the dictator's station for causing re-recording of the record on the auxiliary machine onto the main recording machine.

24. In a dictation system of the type described the combination including at least one main recording machine at a, central station, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine at said station which runs continuously in normal use, a receiver-microphone dictators station remote with respect to said machine, a line for connecting that station with said recording machines, means at the dictators station for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line, means at the dictators station for starting and stopping the main recording machine, means controlled from the dictators station for applying signals to the recording of the main recording machine to indicate corrections and the like, means operated upon stopping of the main machine for applying corresponding correction signals to the record of the auxiliary machine, and means controlled from the dictators station for connecting the auxiliary machine to the line whereby the record thereon is fed back to the receiver of the dictators station in use.

25. In a dictation system of the type described, the combination including at least one main recording machine at a central station, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine at said station which runs continuously in normal use, a receiver-microphone dictators station remote with respect to said machine, a line for connecting that station with said recording machines, means at the dictators station for connecting the associated receiver-microphone to the line, means at the dictators station for starting and stopping the main recording machine, means controlled from the dictators station for applying signals to the recording of the main recording machine to indicate corrections and the like, means operated upon stopping of the main machine for applying corresponding correction signals to the record of the auxiliary machine, means controlled from the dictators station for connecting the auxiliary machine to the line whereby the record thereon is fed back to the receiver of the dictators station in use, and means at the dictators station for re-recording said signals from the auxiliary machine onto the main machine.

26. In a sound recording system, a pair of sound recording machines, means for starting and stopping one of said machines, means for causing the other of said machines to operate continuously when the system is in use, means for simultaneously supplying signal currents to and recording them on both of said machines, and means for reproducing the recorded signals from the continuously operatin machine whenever said starting and stopping means is operated to stop said other machine.

27. In a sound recording system, a pair of sound recording machines, means for starting and stopping one of said machines, means for causing the other of said machines to operate continuously when the system is in use, means for simultaneously supplying signal currents to and recording them on both of said machines, and means for reproducing the recorded signals from the continuously operating machine whenever said starting and stoppin means is operated to stop said other machine, said continuously operating machine being of the magnetizable wire type.

HENRY P. CLAUSEN. 

